Four

“What do you have to say after causing such a disaster?” Julianna demanded in anger.

Ella held her red cheeks and watched as Richard passed her to sweep Sophie in his arms. He happened to see the brown envelope Ella was holding.

Richard stared at it for a while longer. “Is this envelope related to what she wanted to say last night? What could it be?

“Babe!” 

Richard returned to his senses and asked Sophie slowly. “Are you Okay?”

“I'm not sure, my back is aching” Sophie pretended to be in pain.

Richard placed her gently on the couch and turned to Ella. “Apologize to Sophie”

The ache in Ella's heart deepened until she grew numb. She said hoarsely, “Apologize?”

“That shouldn't be a question. Of course, you know the right thing to do after hurting someone. Do you know how precious she is?” Richard snarled.

Ella could see the care look in Richard's eyes. It seems all those feelings Richard had shown her in their marriage are all fake. Even a strand of hair on Sophie's head was more important than her at the moment. 

Now, she was worth less than a blade of grass by the roadside. She became determined and decided to fight back the humiliation.

Ella said stubbornly “What if I refuse to apologize?”

A trace of surprise flashed through Richard's eyes. When had Ella, who was gentle and accommodating, been so sharp-tongued?

He pursed his lips. “You have got a tough streak, huh? Don't forget I'm still the donor to your mother's orphanage, think about your mother before you act!”  Richard threatened.

That was true, Richard has been helping her mother orphanage a lot after their marriage. Those words coming from Richard pierce into her heart.

That was enough. Hadn't she learned her lesson yet?

Ella held back her tears, finding it hard to believe that Richard had used her mother to threaten her. She diverted her gaze to Sophie, who was lying peacefully on the couch like she belonged there. Ella looked around the sitting room and her eyes caught their wedding picture, then her heart ached the more.

The thought of losing her husband on her wedding anniversary hit her hard, those pictures seem to mock Ella's existence.

Ella takes a deep breath and finally gives in to the harsh reality. She said hoarsely, “I'm sorry”

Sophie was secretly happy but didn't let it show. She pretended to be nice and said, “I've forgiven you for Richard's sake, I'm ready to do anything to make my baby happy” Sophie smiled and eyed Richard, who returned the smile instantly.

“Thanks, baby, I will always do the same for you”

Ella straightened up and look at Richard in the eye. “Can I go now?”

She couldn't take the humiliation anymore, she didn't want to spend another second in the mansion. Ella handed over the divorce paper she had left on the table last night. This time around, her attitude was as firm as possible.

Richard took the divorce agreement and secretly frowned. He doesn't expect her to sign the divorce agreement without making a fuss. She might do that probably because of the conditions stated in the agreement. “Is there anything else you would like to add to the properties given to you?” He asks slowly.

“She can't need anything else apart from that. Someone like her doesn't deserve a penthouse not to talk of giving her a huge amount of money, you are too kind for giving her that” Julianna chipped in.

“I don't need any of your property, the only thing I need from you is to let me get out of here,” Ella said reflexively.

Richard became uncomfortable and he couldn't help his feelings at the moment. He looks down at Ella with her suitcase, “Are you leaving already?”

Ella was taken aback by his question, she couldn't thought Richard would ask her that kind of question. Does he care about her now?

“Whether I'm leaving or not doesn't concern you. Since we are divorced, there is no need for you to worry about me” Ella said strictly.

Richard quickly averted his gaze. “Don't get your hopes high, why will I get worried because of someone like you? I was just surprised that you wanted to leave so eagerly” 

Ella clenches her fist tightly on her suitcase, hearing that Richard doesn't care about her breaking her heart into pieces. But she has to face it all.

“I don't think I will be needed after signing the divorce papers, so I need to excuse myself from you guys,”  Ella said reflexively. She bypasses Richard and makes her way out, unfortunately, she accidentally loses her balance.

Ella tries to grab onto the couch to maintain her balance but she fails to.

At this critical moment, someone grabbed her and her head landed on the hard chest. Richard eventually saved her.

For some seconds, Ella remains in Richard's hands. She wished that moment could last longer as she enveloped his scent. Her face was burning hard with different sweet thoughts running through her head, but someone else spoiled the moment.

“She is not blind to lose her balance, she was just pretending to make you hold her,” Sophie said behind them.

Right at that moment, Richard let go of Ella and she fell to the ground. “I never expected you to think so low as that. You should stop putting on an act” Richard sneered at her.

Ella managed to stand on her feet, she stared at Richard for a while before diverting her gaze to Sophie. Even though it's hard to believe, Richard no longer belongs to her and she must admit that.

“I wish you both a happy life” The moment Ella says this, tears rush out of her eyes. She just wishes her first love a happy life with another woman.

“Thanks for that, I can manage to invite you to our wedding,” Sophie said briskly and mocked Ella with her expression.

Ella glanced at Richard for the last time and said, “I will take my leave then” And with this, Ella walked out of the mansion in tears.